From signal transduction to protein toxins-a narrative review about milestones on the research route of C. difficile toxins

Selected findings about Clostridioides difficile (formerly Clostridium difficile) toxins are presented in a narrative review. Starting with a personal view on research about G proteins, adenylyl cyclase, and ADP-ribosylating toxins in the laboratory of Gunter Schultz in Heidelberg, milestones of C. difficile toxin research are presented with the focus on toxin B (TcdB), covering toxin structure, receptor binding, toxin up-take and refolding, the intracellular actions of TcdB, and the treatment of C. difficile infection.

Automated summary

This narrative review presents selected findings on Clostridioides difficile toxins. It starts with a personal perspective on research about G proteins, adenylyl cyclase, and ADP-ribosylating toxins in Gunter Schultz's laboratory in Heidelberg, and then highlights milestones in C. difficile toxin research, with a focus on toxin B (TcdB). The review covers various aspects of TcdB, including its structure, receptor binding, internalization, refolding, intracellular actions, and treatment of C. difficile infection.